Yesterday, I waited in the early just-light moments of the day, listening. Sitting in the silence. (For more, click here.) I don't know what I expected to hear, but I was surprised to realize that "my" song sparrow was already warmed up and running through his opening exercises; through the closed window, through heavy rain hitting the metal porch roof just in front of me, that little brown bird was warbling his clear notes over and over again.
"Here it is again," I thought, "I will praise you in this storm."
I wasn't sure I wanted another reminder.
But, I needed one.
When I picked up my small but mighty devotional book, Jesus Always, and read the entry for the day, I knew I had heard correctly: "I want you to linger in gratitude...this is a most delightful place, where the joy of My Presence shines warmly upon you..."
I've been thinking about those words ever since...how do I linger in gratitude? Author Sarah Young suggests two specific ways to keep a perspective of gratitude- to tell someone else what God has done, and to write down my reasons for gratitude where I can see and remember them. I'm trying to do both of those bits right now.
Because-reasons for gratitude exist. I can't record all of those answered prayers here, - think PIPAA (Prayer Information Privacy and Accountibility) instead of HIPAA?! What I can do is give a few glimpses of some rain beauty I've found here on Hickory Lane in this stormy season. These are small reasons for gratitude...every day. I'll write the big ones in my journal. (Where will you write yours? And who will you tell?)
Rain Beauty on Hickory Lane - Reasons for gratitude
1. On rainy days, I find more moments for reflection.
2. Without the rain, I'd have no reason to wear my new boots.
(And, the white violets wouldn't get their faces washed!!)
3. On rainy days, God does all the watering. (But not the weeding, apparently.)
4. Without the rain, I'd never see spring's greens reflected in an thousand raindrops...
against Neighbor Farmer's red shed backdrop.
5. On rainy days, the ancient lilac rains...well...lilac. (I'd hate to miss that show.)
6. Without the rain, I wouldn't see morning skies like this one...
which preceded our last batch of stormy, rainy days.
(Remember, red sky in the morning, sailors take warning...)
7. Rainbows only appear after a storm...so, no storm, no rainbow. I'll try to remember.
Tell someone what God has done, is doing.
Write your list where you can reread those reasons when the wind blows fierce against the house and you've almost lost your voice.
Linger in gratitude. We can praise Him in the storm...
And it's still raining...